kokaneegirl 0 #1 May 26, 2003 Question. Has any military, US or otherwise, ever used BASE jumping in any way? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DexterBase 1 #2 May 26, 2003 As far as I know, the military has not looked into the employment of "Low altitude vertical delivery specialists" yet. I can't imagine a scenario where a BASE jumper skill set would be required. The military uses rappelling techniques that cover this area. When it's needed to insert personnel, fast roping remains the fastest method to put troops on the ground without the site analysis that goes into a BASE jump. Besides, can you imagine jumping a cliff with a combat load? Basically it's just not practical. What if there was a situation where the "low altitude expert" was needed to jump from a cliff where the conditions were severe? In the BASE environment you would leave and jump another day. In the military (combat particularly) environment the mission comes first personal safety second, the minute bullets start flying. It's a fun idea to kick around though... let me know if you learn different. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NickD 1 #3 May 26, 2003 >Question. >Has any military, US or otherwise, ever used BASE >jumping in any way? This isn’t about military BASE jumping, but it does show the disconnect between BASE jumpers and everyone else . . . When myself and some other jumpers are chased after a building jump here in San Diego I got a phone call from the Police Department the next morning. It seems a police Lieutenant wanted to know if a few of his men could learn to BASE jump and use it as a crime fighting tactic. Amazingly he figured he could station these men on downtown high rises, ready to pounce on crime they would see in the streets below, he actually used the term, “Batman like . . .” After I explained what is involved as far as learning, and the important matter of staying very current, he realized it wasn’t practical. Another time, Kenny Rodger’s (the singer) wife called me and said Kenny had seen BASE jumping on TV and thought it is really neat. As it is his birthday, his wife wants to buy Kenny a BASE jump. At first I thought, great, we could bag him into the water somewhere, being sure he’d write a cool song about BASE jumping. But I finally got a hold of myself, imagining the headline, “Singer Killed in Plunge from Bridge,” and told her, no, it isn’t really a good idea. I gave her the Perris phone number and suggested a skydiving tandem jump instead. When Chuck Sweeney landed a building jump in Los Angeles, one night, he is chased and actually shot at by the Secret Service who, unknown to him, are guarding the first President Bush who is sleeping in a hotel room across the street. After it is all sorted out (we’ll forget about the jump, you forget we shot at you) the agents realized Chuck could have flown right into the President’s window carrying explosives, so now this is something they always check on, the possible launch points for terrorist BASE jumpers. Nick BASE 194 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kokaneegirl 0 #4 May 26, 2003 I can't either, but was curious if anyone has seen/heard/read about this type of application/research. Quote As far as I know, the military has not looked into the employment of "Low altitude vertical delivery specialists" yet. I can't imagine a scenario where a BASE jumper skill set would be required. Maybe. I've jumped a cliff with 36DDD's. Guessing that would equate to a "combat load". Quote Besides, can you imagine jumping a cliff with a combat load? There is a gray line there. It's my understanding that both have similar importance BECAUSE of the mission. Or maybe I just pulled that outta me arse. In the military (combat particularly) environment the mission comes first personal safety second, the minute bullets start flying. Quote Indeed! It IS a cool idea to kick around. This question, to me, IS about military and BASE jumping. Simple curiosity. Not meant as anything else..... Quote It's a fun idea to kick around though... let me know if you learn different. Indeed! It IS a cool idea to kick around. This question, to me, IS about military and BASE jumping. Simple curiosity. Not meant as anything else..... See ya on the 5th, D. Cheers! Former Marine Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DexterBase 1 #5 May 26, 2003 Quote Maybe. I've jumped a cliff with 36DDD's. Guessing that would equate to a "combat load". Okay... You got me on that one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kokaneegirl 0 #6 May 26, 2003 Quote>Question. >Has any military, US or otherwise, ever used BASE >jumping in any way? It is just a simple inquiry. Sorry to offend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites 0
